Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for a two-day official visit that New Delhi says will centre on trade, defence co-operation and broader geopolitical issues. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received Putin at Palam Air Force Station and accompanied him to the prime minister’s residence, a gesture Indian officials described as a sign of the long-standing bilateral relationship. The visit comes ahead of the 23rd India–Russia annual summit scheduled for Friday, where both sides are expected to review defence procurement, energy collaboration and efforts to s

John Rustad has resigned as leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., ending a tense standoff that unfolded over the past two days between him, his caucus and the party’s executive. His departure comes less than 24 hours after he publicly rejected calls to quit, insisting he still held the mandate to lead. In a written statement released today, Rustad said the internal dispute was not the result of a hostile takeover by former BC Liberal members, responding to concerns raised by some supporters after last year’s political realignment that saw several MLAs cross over to the Conservatives. H

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to hold short, separate discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday as all three leaders gather in Washington for the FIFA World Cup draw. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed a brief encounter with Trump at the Kennedy Center. The schedule coincides with preparations for the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. While Carney had previously suggested he would likely “see the president around there,” Friday’s interactions mark the first direct contact between the

Vancouver police say the death of an eight-year-old girl who fell from a highrise balcony in Yaletown last month has been confirmed as an accident. Investigators concluded their review of the Nov. 11 incident and found no evidence of criminal involvement. In a brief statement, the Vancouver Police Department said the girl’s fall from an upper-floor balcony was a tragic event, and officers extended condolences to the family and community members affected. The case was handled by the department’s Major Crime Section, which is responsible for probing sudden deaths and complex investigations.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a bail application filed by senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former state minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a case alleging assets disproportionate to his known income. The ruling upholds an earlier decision by a Mohali court, which had also declined to grant him relief. Majithia has been in judicial custody since June 25, when the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested him in connection with an alleged money laundering matter linked to proceeds from drug trafficking. He is currently lodged at the New Nabha Jail in Patiala. The allegations form pa

A Bathinda court has postponed the scheduled appearance of actor and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut, who was expected to attend proceedings on Thursday in a defamation case linked to comments made during the 2020–21 farmers’ protest. The court has now directed her to appear on December 15. Her legal counsel informed the court that Ranaut is currently occupied with the ongoing Lok Sabha session and is unable to attend in person. The court accepted the submission and granted an extension. Complainant Mahinder Kaur, along with a witness, appeared before the court on Thursday. Kaur f

Alberta’s provincial health authority is undergoing another leadership change as Alberta Health Services says chief executive officer Andre Tremblay has taken a leave of absence. The organization did not disclose the reason for his departure, citing personnel limitations. The provincial government has appointed senior AHS official Erin O’Neill to oversee the agency on an interim basis. She will serve both as acting CEO and temporary board chair as the organization continues its transition into a dedicated provider of hospital and clinical services under the government’s health system res

The BC Conservative Party says John Rustad has been removed as leader of the provincial Opposition. The announcement comes after 20 members of Rustad's caucus said they had lost confidence in him and wanted him out. Rustad refused to resign and cited the party's constitution, which says a leader can only be removed by resignation, death, incapacitation or a leadership review. The party says its board of directors has decided Rustad is ``professionally incapacitated'' and unable to continue as leader of the party. The B.C. Conservative Party sent the following news release about the re

Burnaby RCMP is asking the public for dashcam video and eyewitness accounts as investigators look into a collision that killed a pedestrian earlier this week. The incident happened on Monday evening along a busy stretch of Kingsway near Edmonds Street, an area that connects Burnaby and southeast Metro Vancouver communities. Police say officers were called just after 7 p.m. on December 1 after a pedestrian was struck by an eastbound vehicle. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. The Burnaby RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team has taken over the case, whi